Physics (Additive + Subtractive Color Theory of Light)

Additive Color Theory

What does our eyes interpret energy waves as?

• colors (red, green, blue, yellow)

why do we call a certain part of the electromagnetic field as the visible part?

• humans can ‘see’ this part

What energy levels does our eyes not interpret?

the very high and very low energy parts

What are the predominant colors in the visible spectrum? And what are they called?

• red, blue and green

• primary colors

What are the different ways to create the different colors in the visible spectrum?

Adding and subtracting colors

What is the Additive theory?

describes how different colors of light can be added together to create the other colors of this light

examples of light sources

torchlight, sun, flashlight

What is the general light?

White light

what are the secondary colors and how do they get made?

• Green and blue - Cyan

• Red and green - yellow

• red and blue magenta

What are secondary colors?

color of light formed by adding 2 primary colors

Can primary colors be broken down? Why or why not?

• cannot be broken down because no other colors of light can be combined to make them

What are complementary colors?

colors of light, that when added form white light

What happens to light in a reflection

• light “bounces” off the surface and keeps going

What happens to light in absorption

the light is taken into the molecules of the surface

Explain Subtractive Theory

when colors of a light source is subtracted when applie

When does Black and white colourations take place?

• Black colouration - when all colors of light are absorbed by a surface

• White colouration - when all colors of light are reflected by a surface

What are the Subtractive primary colours?

cyan, magenta and yellow

What colors does magenta, yellow and cyan absorb

Magenta absorbs - green

Yellow absorbs - blue

Cyan absorbs - red

What happens when you add 2 Subtractive primary colors? give examples

• the colors will subtract and reflect one of the primary colors

• Magenta and Yellow = Red

• Yellow and Cyan = Green

• Magenta and Cyan = blue

What happens when you add all the subractive primary colors together?

it will absorb all the colours of white light

What in your eyes lets you see color?

eye cell cones

When are colors of light subtracted?

when it is reflected or transmitted

What are filters?

transparent objects that subtract the color of light